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Optics

Most of our research involves optical polarization. Polarization describes the vector nature of light—the direction in which a light wave vibrates. It adds a tremendous amount of information about light-matter interactions that is not provided by the more common measurements of wavelength and intensity. Most light is at least partially polarized, and this polarization usually changes when light undergoes scattering, reflection, or transmission. Polarimeters are used to quantify these changes, and they are the primary instruments used in our research.

Our undergraduate students use polarized light in applications that are relevant to fundamental physics, biology, medicine, chemistry, geology, environmental sensing, and engineering. Some of our recent projects include

We gratefully acknowledge the National Science Foundation, the 3M Company, the Imation Corporation, Axometrics, Inc., and the University of St. Thomas for funding, equipment donations, and/or generous educational discounts in purchasing.‌